External walls
Regulation 5 requires responsible persons for high-rise buildings prepare a record of the design of the external walls of the building (including anything attached to the exterior of the walls, e.g. balconies) and the materials from which they are constructed.
GMFRS already holds external wall system information for many of the high-rise premises in Greater Manchester. In order to collect the information in the most efficient manner with the least burden on business, we will collect information in tranches over the next 12 months.
When you click the link to submit plans and begin to complete the form you will be directed as to whether we require your information at this time.
Information required
The record must include the level of risk identified in the fire risk assessment (FRA) required under Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and any mitigating steps taken in relation to that risk.
The Fire Safety Act 2022 has clarified that external walls fall under the scope of the Fire Safety Order and therefore this risk should be included in the fire risk assessment. In some cases, the fire risk assessor will be able to draw conclusions about the level of risk directly. However, in other cases it will be necessary to carry out a separate fire risk appraisal of the external wall (FRAEW), the outcome of which should feed into the FRA.
The record prepared should be shared with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) electronically via the link above. Where any significant changes are made to the external wall a revised record should be prepared and shared with GMFRS.